Electrical metal clad connectors and methods of use

ABSTRACT

A cable connector may be disclosed. The connector may include a connector housing having a first threaded portion and an insert having compression voids. The insert may be configured for insertion into the connector housing. The connector may also include a compression nut configured to engage the first threaded portion. The compression nut may be configured to compress the insert to close the compression voids when the compression nut engages the first threaded portion. The cable connector may also include an end stop having an adjustable throat diameter configured to adjust in proportion to an adjustable inner diameter of the cable connector as the connector engages or armor of an armored cable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Under provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), the Applicants claim the benefitof U.S. provisional application No. 60/923,855, filed Apr. 17, 2007,which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Conventional electrical metal clad (MC) fittings or connectors mayrequire several connector sizes and/or multiple parts to engage onearmored cable diameter or a range of armored cable diameters. Thisrequires distributors to inventory several connector parts or connectorsfor each diameter range and/or each trade size. To reduce the overallnumber of connectors needed and to maximize existing resources,connectors are commonly rated for use with a variety of cables andconduits. For instance, MC connectors are listed for use with MC cable,flexible metal conduit (FMC), and in some cases Nonmetallic (NM) Cable.

Dimensional criteria for selecting an appropriate connector may includetrade size (knockout (KO)), cable diameter (i.e. jacket and/or armordiameter) range, and end stop (throat) diameter. For example, when athroat diameter is too large in a connector, the throat diameter willpermit cables with smaller armor diameters to pass through the end stop.In contrast, when the end-stop is too small, the number and size ofconductors that can pass through the end-stop are limited. Thus, thenumber of connectors needed to cover an available cable size range isincreased. Also, connector assemblies that have “numerous” parts orpieces have an increased tendency for creating worker frustrations oreven work stoppage should any of these pieces become missing or lostaltogether.

Additionally, features that minimize or eliminate installation errorsare not currently available among conventional MC connectors. Forinstance, with respect to interlocked armor cable, one end of the cablehas a tendency to expand to a larger diameter than the other end of thesame cable during termination. Thus, depending upon which end is beingterminated, interlocked armor cable may require two (2) differentconnector sizes for the opposite ends of the cable. Further, with regardto continuously welded and corrugated armor (CWA), connectors that use“thread-on” features were developed to provide intimate contact betweenthe connector and the armor for sealing and electrical bonding. Othernon-threaded fittings that are available for CWA usually have additionalcomponents or parts for creating a seal between the cable and theconnector for hazardous location ratings, again adding costs and piecesthat are not necessary for dry-location-only ratings. Thus, theintroduction and rapid market growth of MC cables has exacerbated issuesassociated with the compatibility between connectors and cables.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this Summaryintended for use in limiting the claimed subject matter's scope.

One or more cable connector(s) are disclosed. The connector may includea connector housing having an engaging portion and an insert having atleast one compression void. The insert may be configured for insertioninto the connector housing. The connector may also include a compressionnut configured to engage the engaging portion. The compression nut maybe configured such that when the compression nut engages the engagingportion the compression nut may exert an axial force on the insert. Theaxial force may cause the insert to deform in a radial direction and notin the axial direction. Deformation in the radial direction may includedeforming the compression void thereby allowing the insert to changediameter. The cable connector may also include an end stop having anadjustable throat diameter configured to adjust in proportion to anadjustable inner diameter of the cable connector as the connectorengages or retains armor of an armored cable.

Both the foregoing general description and the following detaileddescription provide examples and are explanatory only. Accordingly, theforegoing general description and the following detailed descriptionshould not be considered to be restrictive. Further, features orvariations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. Forexample, embodiments may be directed to various feature combinations andsub-combinations described in the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the presentinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cable connector assemblyapplication;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector in an assembled andcompressed position around the cable in the application of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector housing illustrated inthe application of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top, a side, and corresponding cross-sectionalviews of the insert illustrated in the application of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates top, side, and prospective views of the compressionnut illustrated in the application of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6 a through 6 c illustrate top and side views of various end stopdiscs sized for various armored cable outer diameters;

FIGS. 7 a through 7 e illustrate top and side views of various end stopdiscs;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a cable connector-electricalbox application;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the connector in an assembled andcompressed position around the cable in the application of FIGS. 1 and8;

FIG. 10 is a side view and top and side cross-sectional views of theconnector housing and insert illustrated in the application of FIGS. 1and 8;

FIG. 11 illustrates a prospective, a top, a side and a cross sectionalviews of the insert illustrated in the application of FIGS. 1 and 8;

FIG. 12 an exploded perspective view of a cable connector assemblyapplication;

FIG. 13 illustrates perspective, top, side, and cross sectional views ofan insert;

FIG. 14 illustrates perspective, top, side, and cross sectional views ofan insert;

FIG. 15 illustrates perspective, top, and side views of the insert;

FIG. 16 illustrates a compression housing having an integrated off setend stop;

FIG. 17 illustrates a cable connector including a constricting band;

18 illustrates a cable connector including a coil spring lock;

FIG. 19 illustrates a cable connector including a coil spring lock withan adjustable end stop;

FIG. 20 illustrates a cable connector including a ball cage; and

FIG. 21 illustrates a cable connector including an insert.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawingsand the following description to refer to the same or similar elements.While embodiments of the invention may be described, modifications,adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example,substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elementsillustrated in the drawings, and substituting, reordering, or addingstages to the disclosed methods may modify the methods described herein.Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit theinvention. Instead, the proper scope of the invention is defined by theappended claims.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts an exploded perspectiveview of an application for a cable connector assembly, also referencedas cable connector 100 according to embodiments of the invention. Cableconnector 100 includes, a connector housing 120 having an externalthreaded portion 121 and an internal threaded portion 119 (See FIG. 2),an end stop element or disc 118, an insert or gland 117 includingcompression relief voids or cavities such as an opening 116 (See FIG. 4)and/or grooves 115, a compression nut 114 (also called a compressionhousing) having an external threaded portion 113, and a lock nut 124 forengaging the external threaded portion 121. Note that opening 116 mayalso be referred to as a missing section. The missing section is void ofmaterial such that when insert 117 is compressed it deforms such thatinsert 117 may decrease in diameter by the closing of opening 116. Also,note that disc 118 may be a washer.

Cable connector 100 may be used to ground an armored cable 110 andsecure armored cable 110, including conductors 112, to an enclosure 122.In addition, cable connector 100 may include attributes that may act asa barrier to prevent moisture and other contaminants from enteringenclosure 122 and/or the connector 100. Enclosure 122 may be made fromsteel and may include structures such as junction boxes, panel boards,motor control enclosures, electrical distribution equipment, and otherelectrical enclosures. Connector components such as connector housing120, insert 117, and compression nut 114 may comprise any electricallyconductive material, such as aluminum or zinc plated steel. One or moreof cable connector 100's components may also be tempered such as forexample, by post annealing, or employing pre-tempered metal stock forwhich the parts may be fabricated.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of cable connector 100 in an assembledand compressed position around armored cable 110 of FIG. 1. Here, endstop disc 118 may serve as an end stop for the armor of armored cable110 while allowing conductors 112 to pass through the connector housing120's top into enclosure 122. As internal threaded portion 119 isengaged with external threaded portion 113 of compression nut 114,insert 117 may close or compresses onto the armored cable as opening 116diminishes in width. This adjustable insert construction may allow asingle cable connector to cover a range of armored cable sizes,including multiple trade sizes, to contact armored cable 110's surfacearea, and to retain armored cable 110 from slipping out of cableconnector 100. The user-friendly design may facilitate installation ofcable connector 100 onto armored cable 110 without a user having todisconnect housing 120 from compression nut 114.

Installation may also be facilitated by a micrometer gauge associatedwith cable connector 100. Thus, a user may close cable connector 100with the micrometer gauge allowing the user to set insert 117 at apredetermined diameter for armored cable 110. Cable connector 100 may beturned to a designated mark, armored cable 110 may then be inserted, andthe user may then completely tighten cable connector 100.

Once cable connector 100 is tightened, a locking mechanism may beimplemented to prevent compression nut 114 or housing 120 from backingout. For instance, a quick disconnect lock that engages threaded portion113 and 119 or lock nut 124 may prevent them from backing out.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, armored cable 110 may be of a typecommercially available and may include electrical conductors 112 encasedin an internal polymer sheath all of which may be covered by a flexiblearmor casing. The construction of armored cable 110 may be used in dryapplications and may be modified to allow its use in damp environmentsand where corrosive gases and other elements are present. Such cablesmay be available in a variety of sizes having various numbers and sizesof conductors in order to accommodate varying circuit requirements.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of connector housing 120 illustrated incable connector 100 of FIG. 1 according to embodiments of the invention.Housing 120 may include a beveled internal surface 312 adjacent to arecessed shoulder 314. Recessed shoulder 314 may be formed to receiveand restrict disc 118 (or an end stop washer) from entering a top innerbore area 317 of housing 120. Moreover, recessed bore shoulder 314 mayserve as an end stop to restrict armored cable 110's armor casing orouter diameter range.

FIG. 4 illustrates top, side, and related cross sectional views ofinsert 117 illustrated in FIG. 1. Insert 117 may include compressionvoids such as opening 116 (i.e. a missing section of material) andgrooves 115 or slots. Each end of insert 117 may include a beveledsurface 410, that when compressed between beveled internal surface 312and a beveled surface of compression nut 114, may be configured to causeinsert 117 to compress radially onto armored cable 110 inside cableconnector 100 without substantially compressing axially. Insert 117 mayalso include ribs 415 extended from or threads 417 in an inner surfaceproximate to insert 117's entry end. Ribs 415 and/or threads 417 mayfacilitate retention of armored cable 110 within cable connector 100once insert 117 and ribs 415 or threads 417 have been compressed ontoarmored cable 110.

FIG. 5 illustrates perspective, top, and cross sectional views ofcompression nut 114 illustrated in FIG. 1. As described above,compression nut 114 may include a beveled inner surface 510 that whencompressed against beveled surface 510 of insert 117, may cause insert117 to compress radially onto armored cable 110 within cable connector100.

During assembly of cable connector 100, beveled internal surface 312 andbeveled surface 510 may mate with beveled surface 410 such that an axialforce is applied to insert 117. Beveled surfaces 312, 410, and 510 mayconvert the axial force to a radial force. The radial force may thencause insert 117 to deform in a radial direction an not in the axialdirection. The radial deformation may be facilitated by deforming groove115 and causing missing section 116 to close. By having insert 117deform in the radial direction as apposed to the axial direction, moreinsert surface area may come into contact with armored cable 110 thereinfacilitating electrical bonding and sealing. If the insert deformed inthe axial direction there may be a greater risk of less than a majorityof the insert surface area contacting armored cable 110.

Also, having insert 117 deform in the radial direction may allow for onesize insert 117 to cover a variety of cable diameters within a singletrade size or across trade sizes. For example, a user working in thefield may have one insert having a 2 inch trade size that can be used onvarious armored cables having different diameters such as 1.5 and/or1.75 inches. For instance, insert 117 may compress onto an armored cablehaving a diameter smaller than that of insert 117 before insert 117 isdeformed. Another example may be insert 117 be expanded to a diameterlarger than the diameter of an undeformed insert 117. For instance theuser may utilize a took to expand insert 117 via missing section 116such that insert 117 may accommodate an armored cable having a diameterlarger than insert 117 before the user increased its diameter.

FIGS. 6 a through 6 c illustrate top and side views of various end stopdiscs sized for armored cable 110 outer diameters according to variousembodiments of the invention. End stop discs 118, 118′, and 118″ mayrestrict armor or armor casing of armored cable 110 from enteringhousing 120's top inner bore area 317. End stop discs 118′ and 118″ maystand alone as replacement parts dependent on armored cable 110's outerdiameter. Furthermore, end stop discs 118, 118′, and 118″ may includebreak away segments to alter their inner diameters depending on armoredcable 110's outer diameter. End stop discs 118, 118′, and 118″ may bemade of any material, such as metal, plastic, or rubber.

FIGS. 7 a through 7 e illustrate top and side views of various end stopdiscs 718, 720, 722, 724, and 725 according to embodiments of theinvention. End stop disc 718 may be formed with one or more tabs 704 torestrict armored cable 110 from passing through while allowing phaseconductors 710 and a bare ground 712 to pass through. Similarly, endstop disc 720 may include cross hairs 706 that may restrict armoredcable 110 from passing through while allowing phase conductors 710 andbare ground 712 to pass through. Furthermore, end stop disc 722 mayinclude one or more cross bars 708 that restrict armored cable 110 frompassing through while allowing phase conductors 710 and bare ground 712to pass through.

Further, end stop disc 724 may include breakaway tabs 727 that restricta range of armored cable outer diameters while allowing the conductorsto pass through. End stop disc 725 may include spiral breakaway segments730 that may be unwound to restrict a range of armored cable outerdiameters from passing through while permitting the conductors to passthrough.

FIG. 8 depicts an exploded perspective view of a cable connector 800consistent with embodiments of the invention. Cable connector 800 mayinclude, a connector housing 820 having an external threaded portion 821and an internal threaded portion 819, an insert or gland 817 includingcompression relief voids or cavities such as an opening 816 and grooves818, retaining ribs 815, an adjustable end stop 810 (See FIG. 9), acompression nut 114 having an external threaded portion 113, and locknut 124 for engaging external threaded portion 821. Note that end stop810 may have an adjustable throat diameter and an adjustable innerdiameter. Cable connector 800 may be used to ground armored cable 110and secure armored cable 110, including conductors 112, to enclosure 122or other structures. In addition, cable connector 800 may also be madecapable of preventing moisture and other contaminants from enteringenclosure 122.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of cable connector 800. Adjustable endstop 810 may serve as an end stop for the armor or casing of armoredcable 110 while allowing the conductors 112 to pass through the top ofconnector housing 820 into enclosure 122. The connector's adjustable endstop 810 adjusts the throat diameter in proportion to the adjustment ofthe connector diameter as the connector is closed around or engages thearmored cable jacket. As internal threaded portion 819 is engaged withexternal threaded portion 113 of compression nut 114, insert 817 mayclose or compress radially onto armored cable 110 or raceway as opening816 diminishes. This adjustable insert construction may allow a singlecable connector 800 to cover a range of armored cable sizes, contactarmored cable 110's surface area, and help prevent armored cable 110from slipping out of cable connector 800.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of connector housing 820 of FIG. 8according to embodiments of the invention. Connector housing 820 mayinclude a beveled internal surface 1010 configured to compress onto abeveled surface of insert 817 and cause insert 817 to compress. Duringcompression of insert 817, adjustable end stop 810 may adjust its throatdiameter in proportion to the armored cable raceway diameter to restrictarmored cable 110's raceway from passing through.

FIG. 11 illustrates top, side, perspective, and cross sectional views ofinsert 817. Insert 817 may include compression relief voids such asopening 816 and grooves 818. Each end of insert 817 may include abeveled surface 811 that, when compressed between beveled internalsurface 1010 and a beveled surface of compression nut 114, may causeinsert 817 to compress onto armored cable 110 inside cable connector800. Insert 817 may also include ribs 815 extended from insert 817'sinner surface proximate to an entry end of insert 817. Ribs 815 mayfacilitate retention of the armored cable 110 within cable connector 800once insert 817 and ribs 815 have been compressed onto armored cable110.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a cable connectorassembly having an insert 1217 according to various embodiments of theinvention. Insert 1217 may include compression relief voids such as anopening 1216 and grooves 1218. Each end of insert 1217 may include abeveled surface 1211 configured to cause insert 1217 to compress ontoarmored cable 110 inside cable connector 800 when compressed betweenbeveled internal surface 1010 and beveled surface of the compression nut114 may. Insert 1217 may also include identical threads or annular rings1215 on insert 1217's inner surface. Threads 1215 may facilitate armoredcable 110 retention within cable connector 800 when insert 1217 andthreads 1215 engage (i.e. grip and/or retain) armored cable 110.

FIG. 13 illustrates top, side, perspective, and cross sectional views ofan insert 1317 according to embodiments of the invention. Insert 1317may include compression relief voids such as the opening 1316 anddiagonal or helical grooves 1318. Each end of insert 1317 may include abeveled surface 1311 that, when compressed between beveled internalsurface 1010 and a beveled surface of compression nut 114, may causeinsert 1317 to compress around armored cable 110 inside cable connectors100 and 800. Insert 1317 may also include ribs 1315 extending frominsert 1317's an inner surface proximate to insert 1317's entry ends.Ribs 1315 may facilitate armored cable 110 retention within cableconnector 100 once insert 1317 and ribs 1315 have been compressed ontoarmored cable 110. In addition, insert 1317 may also include anadjustable end stop 1313 adjusts the throat diameter in proportion tothe adjustment of the connector diameter as the connector is closedaround the armored cable jacket.

FIG. 14 illustrates top, side, perspective, and cross sectional views ofan insert 1417 consistent with embodiments of the invention. Insert 1417may include compression relief voids such as the opposing slots 1416.Opposing slots 1416 may be serpentine. Each end of insert 1417 mayinclude a beveled surface 1411 that, when compressed between the beveledinternal surface 1010 and a beveled surface of compression nut 114, maycause insert 1417 to compress onto armored cable 110 inside cableconnectors 100 and 800.

FIG. 15 illustrates top and side views of an insert 1517 consistent withembodiments of the invention. Insert 1517 may include compression reliefvoids such as the opposing slots 1516. The sidewalls of each slot may beat an angle Y to one another or in parallel as shown in FIGS. 14 athrough 14 d. Each end of insert 1517 may include a beveled surface 1511that, when compressed between beveled internal surface 1010 and abeveled surface of compression nut 114, may cause insert 1517 tocompress onto armored cable 110 inside cable connectors 100 and 800. Inaddition an insert may include one or more integrated end stops. The endstops may facilitate in stopping armored cable 110 from passing throughinsert 1517.

FIG. 16 illustrates compression nut 114 may have an integrated off-setend stop 1720. In embodiments of the present invention, compression nut114 may be configured such that end stop 1720 may include a single liphaving a larger throat size to provide an end stop for a variety ofcable sizes. During armored cable 110 installation, a user may insertarmored cable 110 into compression nut 114 such that armored cable 110'sarm comes to rest against end stop 1720. After armored cable 110 hasbeen inserted into compression nut 114, cable connector 100 may beassembled as described above with respect to FIG. 1.

FIG. 17 illustrates a cable connector 2100 that may include aconstricting band 2110. Tightening or loosening a set screw 2122 that istangential to a housing 2120 adjusts constricting band 2110. Screw 2122may engage a worm gear or rack and pinion mechanism 2130 such that, asscrew 2122 is tightened, constricting band 2110 may be tightened againstarmored cable 110.

FIG. 18 illustrates a cable connector 2200 that may include a doublecoil spring lock 2202. Cable connector 2200 may include at least onehelical coiled spring 2204 and 2206 that may be wrapped in an annularfashion in various locations within cable connector 2200. A firstlocation may be at the inner top end of a housing 2208 and may form anend stop to strict an armored cable's armor from passing through housing2208 while still allowing conductors to pass through housing 2208. Asecond location of coiled spring 2206 may be at the bottom of housing2208 where a spacers/inserts 2210 and 2212 including a beveled surface.Spacers/inserts 2210 and 2212 may engage coil springs 2204 and 2206 as acompression nut 2214 closes onto housing 2208 and my cause coil springs2204 and 2206 to engage the armored cable's armor mechanically andelectrically. Spacers/inserts 2210 and 2212 may be placed betweenhousing 2208 and compression nut 2214 below coil spring 2206. Coiledspring 2204 may serve as an end stop may be of a larger diameter thancoil spring 2204 that may provide a mechanical and electrical connectionto the armored cable's armor.

FIG. 19 illustrates a cable connector 2300 that may include a coilspring lock 2302 with an end stop that may be adjustable. Cableconnector 2300 may include three or more coil springs 2304, 2306, and2308 and may exclude a spacer. A compression nut 2310 may exert a forceagainst spring 2304 to hold spring 2304 in place as spring 2306 and/or2308 engage and armored cable's armor 2312 mechanically and/orelectrically. Any of springs 2304, 2306, and 2308 may act as an endstop. The end stop spring may be of a larger size than the othersprings.

FIG. 20 illustrates a cable connector 2400 that may include at least oneball cage 2402 and/or 2404. Cable connector 2400 may provide forincreased force against armor an armored cable's armor 2412. Acompression nut 2408 may engage a housing 2410 and may exert a forceagainst ball cages 2402 and 2404. Ball cages 2404 and 2406 may engagearmored cable's armor 2412 mechanically and/or electrically. When morethan one ball cage is utilized, a space 2406 may be used to separateball cages 2402 and 2404. In addition, either of ball cages 2404 and/or2406 may serve as an end stop to allow conductors 2414 to pass throughhousing 2410 and hinder armored cable's armor 2412 from passing throughhousing 2410. Ball cages 2404 and 2406 may be constructed of the same ordiffering materials. For example, ball cage 2404 may be constructed outof steel while ball cages 2406 and 2408 may be constructed out ofaluminum. Other conductive and non-conductive materials may be used toconstruct ball cages 2404, 2406, and 2408.

FIG. 21 illustrates a cable connector 2500 that may include an insert2502. Insert 2502 may comprise various members. Insert 2502 may collapseand compress onto an armored cable's armor 2524. Insert 2502 maycomprise beveled surfaces that may interact with beveled surfaces on ahousing 2512 and a compression nut 2514. Insert 2502 may furthercomprise prongs 2516 and 2518 that may serve as an end stop to allowconductors 2522 to pass through housing 2512 and hinder armored cable'sarmor 2512 from passing through housing 2512. Insert 2502 may furthercomprise internal ribs 2520 that engage the armored cable's armor 2512mechanically and/or electrically. Cable connector 2500 may also comprisea display that may assist in terminating the armored cable. Insert 2502may expand when compression nut 2514 is loosened from housing 2512 tofacilitate replacing the armored cable and/or cable connector 2500.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been described, otherembodiments may exist. Further, the disclosed methods' stages may bemodified in any manner, including by reordering stages and/or insertingor deleting stages, without departing from the invention. While thespecification includes examples, the invention's scope is indicated bythe following claims. Furthermore, while the specification has beendescribed in language specific to structural features and/ormethodological acts, the claims are not limited to the features or actsdescribed above. Rather, the specific features and acts described aboveare disclosed as example for embodiments of the invention.

1. A cable connector comprising: a connector housing having an engagingportion; an insert having at least one compression void and a first endand a second end, the insert configured to be inserted into theconnector housing; and a compression nut configured to engage theengaging portion, wherein the compression nut is configured such thatwhen the compression nut engages the engaging portion the compressionnut exerts an axial force on the insert causing the insert to deform ina radial direction and not in the axial direction by deforming the atleast one compression void thereby allowing the insert to changediameter, wherein the insert includes at least one internal threadconfigured to engage armor of an armored cable.
 2. The cable connectorof claim 1, wherein the insert is configured such that the insert doesnot rotate upon the compression nut engaging the connector housing,wherein the rotation is halted by a set screw.
 3. The cable connector ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one compression void comprises at leastone groove located on at least one of the following: an insert internalsurface and an insert external surface.
 4. The cable connector of claim1, wherein the at least one compression void comprises a gap allowingthe first and second ends to deform in the radial direction.
 5. Thecable connector of claim 1, wherein the insert is configured in aserpentine shape, the compression voids comprising spaces between aplurality of splines.
 6. The cable connector of claim 1, wherein thecable connector is water resistant.
 7. The cable connector of claim 1,wherein at least one of the following is electrically conductive: theconnector housing, the insert, and the compression nut.
 8. The cableconnector of claim 1, wherein the cable connector is configured toground an electrical connection.
 9. The connector of claim 1, whereinthe insert is configured to cover at least one of the following: a tradesize; and a range of at least two trade sizes.
 10. The connector ofclaim 1, further comprising a perforated washer having at least oneperforation configured to allow a portion of the perforated washer to beremoved.
 11. A cable connector comprising: a connector housing having: afirst threaded portion and a first beveled surface; a compression nuthaving a second threaded portion configured to connect to the firstthreaded portion and a second beveled surface; and an insert having: atleast one groove configured to facilitate insert deformation, a firstend having a third beveled surface, a second end having a fourth beveledsurface, and a missing section extending from the first end to thesecond end, the insert configured to be inserted into the connectorhousing, wherein when the insert is inserted into the connector housing,the first beveled surface mates with the third beveled surface, whereinwhen the compression nut connects to the connector housing, the secondbeveled surface mates with the fourth beveled surface and thecompression nut and the connector housing apply an axial force on theinsert and the first, second, third, and fourth beveled surfaces convertthe axial force to a radial force, the radial force causing the insertto deform in a radial direction and not in the axial direction bydeforming the at least one groove and causing the missing section toclose.
 12. The cable connector of claim 11, wherein the connectorhousing further includes a shoulder configured to hinder a cable's armorfrom passing through the connector housing while still allowing thecable to pass through the connector housing.
 13. The cable connector ofclaim 11, wherein the insert includes at least one helical groovelocated on an insert internal surface, the at least one helical grooveconfigured to engage armor of an armored cable.
 14. A cable connectorcomprising: a connector housing having an engaging portion; an inserthaving at least one compression void and a first end and a second end,the insert configured to be inserted into the connector housing; and acompression nut configured to engage the engaging portion, wherein thecompression nut is configured such that when the compression nut engagesthe engaging portion the compression nut exerts an axial force on theinsert causing the insert to deform in a radial direction and not in theaxial direction by deforming the at least one compression void therebyallowing the insert to change diameter, wherein the insert includes atleast one prong configured as an end stop to hinder armor of an armoredcable from passing through the cable connector while allowing conductorsof the armored cable to pass through.
 15. A cable connector comprising:a connector housing having an engaging portion; an insert having atleast one compression void and a first end and a second end, the insertconfigured to be inserted into the connector housing; and a compressionnut configured to engage the engaging portion, wherein the compressionnut is configured such that when the compression nut engages theengaging portion the compression nut exerts an axial force on the insertcausing the insert to deform in a radial direction and not in the axialdirection by deforming the at least one compression void therebyallowing the insert to change diameter, wherein the insert includes atleast one helical groove configured to engage armor of an armored cable.16. A cable connector comprising: a connector housing having an engagingportion; an insert having at least one compression void and a first endand a second end, the insert configured to be inserted into theconnector housing; and a compression nut configured to engage theengaging portion, wherein the compression nut is configured such thatwhen the compression nut engages the engaging portion the compressionnut exerts an axial force on the insert causing the insert to deform ina radial direction and not in the axial direction by deforming the atleast one compression void thereby allowing the insert to changediameter, wherein the insert is configured such that the insert does notrotate upon the compression nut engaging the connector housing.
 17. Thecable connector of claim 16, wherein the insert includes internal ribsconfigured to engage armor of an armored cable.
 18. The cable connectorof claim 16, wherein the insert includes at least one internal threadconfigured to engage armor of an armored cable.
 19. The cable connectorof claim 16, wherein the insert includes at least one prong configuredas an end stop to hinder armor of an armored cable from passing throughthe cable connector while allowing conductors of the armored cable topass through.
 20. The cable connector of claim 16, wherein the insertincludes at least one helical groove configured to engage armor of anarmored cable.
 21. A cable connector comprising: a connector housinghaving an engaging portion; an insert having at least one compressionvoid and a first end and a second end, the insert configured to beinserted into the connector housing; and a compression nut configured toengage the engaging portion, wherein the compression nut is configuredsuch that when the compression nut engages the engaging portion thecompression nut exerts an axial force on the insert causing the insertto deform in a radial direction and not in the axial direction bydeforming the at least one compression void thereby allowing the insertto change diameter, wherein the at least one compression void comprisesat least one groove located on at least one of the following: an insertinternal surface and an insert external surface.
 22. A cable connectorcomprising: a connector housing having an engaging portion; an inserthaving at least one compression void and a first end and a second end,the insert configured to be inserted into the connector housing; and acompression nut configured to engage the engaging portion, wherein thecompression nut is configured such that when the compression nut engagesthe engaging portion the compression nut exerts an axial force on theinsert causing the insert to deform in a radial direction and not in theaxial direction by deforming the at least one compression void therebyallowing the insert to change diameter, wherein the insert is configuredin a serpentine shape, the compression voids comprising spaces between aplurality of splines.